Disclaimer: I do not own Everwood, but I do own Jesse Chase, and her
family. I also own this story.
Leaving the only home you've ever known is one of the hardest things to do, but going back can be even harder. In my life I've been faced with problem after problem, just like everyone else, but about a year ago today, something happened that wasn't easy to recover from. But now, here I am on the front porch of my childhood home, looking at the town that has shaped my existence in so many ways. Everwood, here I come.
"Alright students, hand up your tests," Mr. Richardson instructed to his class just before the lunch bell rang.
"So how'd you do?" Amy asked Ephram as they walked towards the cafeteria.
"Truthfully? I think Bright could have gotten a better score," Ephram laughed, "You?"
"Believe me when I say Bobo the chimp could have scored better then I did on that test," Amy replied.
"Bobo?" Ephram raised an eyebrow.
"I saw my grandparents going at it last week, so sleep hasn't been an option since I don't want that picture haunting my dreams," Amy explained, "Therefore, because of the sleep depravation, anything I say or do cannot be held against me.
"Wow, if you didn't have a childhood trauma already, you sure as hell do now," Ephram smirked, as they entered the lunchroom. Just as they had entered Kayla sauntered up to them, a sour look on her face. She was carrying a stack of bright orange flyers in her arms, and reluctantly stuck out her hand, holding one out to Amy.
"What's this?" Amy asked, as she took the flyer Kayla had hoisted out to her.
"Read it, blondie," Kayla demanded as Amy looked down at the flyer, reading it's contents, "It's a welcome home party for Jesse Chase. I know you think your some big-shot "woe is me" type now, but I think the least you could do is show up...for Jesse."
"I thought Jesse was in San Diego," Amy said, cocking an eyebrow, "And the last time I talked to her, she wasn't planning on coming back."
"Well that shows how good of a friend you are," Kayla replied, "She came back yesterday. The party is tonight, be there or don't." Kayla gave Amy one last narrow-eyed glance, and practically stormed off like the drama queen she was.
"That was interesting," Ephram smirked, as Amy still looked at the flyer, "Are you going to go?"
"I don't know," Amy shrugged, "Jesse was mostly part of the "in-crowd" so you can guess who's on the guest list."
"So your total anti-popularity now?" Ephram inquired gently.
"I don't know, it's kind of hard to stay popular when you realize how much you hate the entire "crowd"," Amy laughed, "I'll go if you go."
"Why would I go?" Ephram replied, "I don't even know this girl, and on top of that, I don't know if I want to spend my Friday night with a ton of future frat boys and sorority sisters."
"Come on," Amy pleaded, "We don't even have to stay the whole time, I just need to see Jesse, and then we can go."
"Alright," Ephram gave in, "But why don't you just take Tommy?"
"Tommy actually has to meet with his parole officer," Amy couldn't help but smile.
"Who would have thought, Amy Abbot, dating a convicted felon," Ephram shook his head.
"Who would have thought, Ephram Brown, jailbait," Amy shot back.
****
Ephram and Amy pulled up to an old, pale gray farm house, with a drive way littered with cars, and people. Loud, fast-paced music was nearly rumbling the house, and plastic cups littered the lawn.
"This is it," Amy announced, taking a deep breath as she got out of the car.
"It looks.nice," Ephram replied, Amy gave him a forced smile.
"You ready?" Amy asked, folding her arms against her chest.
"Sure," Ephram nodded, following her into the house. The inside of the house was somehow surviving despite the party. It really looked like your "run of the mill" country home. All the furniture looked dated, and the paint was chipping in places. Amy weaved through the crowd, avoiding eye contact with most everyone. They passed the fireplace, and the dark wood curio cabinet filled with different trophies, plaques, framed photographs, and other keepsakes. There were several pairs of bronzed baby shoes, and some assorted art projects that looked like they were part of a second grade curriculum. Amy didn't seem to stop to look at anything, not even the people around her. She finally stopped once they had gotten to the kitchen.
"I think I'm going to go venture into the crowd, and see if I can find her," Amy explained, "I guess I'll meet up with you back here in like 20 minutes."
"Alright," Ephram nodded, "Good luck."
"Thanks," Amy said with a slight smile, before disappearing into a mass of people. Ephram turned to the back door, hesitating a bit, before continuing through the door. The backyard was reasonably crowded, and though Ephram recognized a few people, he decided to avoid it. He noticed a huge set of woods to the left and back of the house. Just before the tree line started, a couple of old, junky cars were left to rust. He slid his CD player out of his pocket, and continued towards the cars, deciding he'd lounge out in the back of the red ford pickup until he had to meet with Amy. As he neared it, he noticed a dark haired girl already sprawled out in the back of the truck. She was dressed only in a pair of loose fitting black pants and a navy blue henley tee. Her dark brown hair was hanging limply, and her deep green eyes gazed absently at the dark night sky. Ephram wasn't sure whether to say something, or just find a different place to wait.
"Are you going to come over here, or stare at me all night?" The girl asked, not taking her eyes off the sky.
"Well, hello to you too," Ephram smirked, making his way over to the truck.
"Having fun so far?" The girl inquired, finally taking her eyes off the sky and focusing them on Ephram.
"Not really, I'm not accustomed to the whole kegger thing," Ephram explained, "How about you?"
"Eh, it's okay," She shrugged, "I much rather have had a fruit basket or one of those huge cards."
"Huh?" Ephram raised an eyebrow.
"Instead of the party," She began, "You have no idea what I'm talking about do you?"
"Not really," Ephram admitted, leaning against the truck.
"I'm Jesse," She answered, "And you must be new."
"No, I was new last year actually," Ephram replied, "So your Jesse. No offense, but I would have figured you were some blonde cheerleader type."
"Who says I'm not?" Jesse shrugged, "We did just meet."
"You just don't seem the type," Ephram replied, "Am I mistaken?"
"Not entirely," Jesse replied, "By that I mean, at one time, yes, I was the cheerleader type."
"I see," Ephram nodded, "So why aren't you out enjoying your party?"
"None of my friends are here," Jesse replied, "Well, mainly because I don't really have any, but either way."
"If your not friends with any of these people, then why would they be having a party for you?" Ephram questioned, momentarily capturing her eye.
"Think about it," Jesse began, "It's my so-called party, and no one even knows I'm gone."
"True," Ephram responded, "So, I hear you were in San Diego. How did that go?"
"Not great, but at least I didn't have to put up with these people while I was there," Jesse explained, "At least I could deal on my own for a while."
"Deal with what?" Ephram asked.
"Whoa there Billy, what makes you think I'm going to spill my guts to you?" Jesse laughed, "I don't even know your name."
"Ephram Brown," Ephram responded.
"Wow, I'm guessing you're the son of the Dr. Brown who moved here last year," Jesse replied.
"Yeah," Ephram frowned.
"Then I've heard of you," Jesse nodded, "For a hot-shot surgeon's son, your actually all right. Not that I know you enough to make any judgments, but you don't seem cocky."
"Thanks," Ephram smirked, "Your not so bad yourself."
"So, what's your life story?" Jesse asked, "Believe me when I say I have time."
"There's not much to tell," Ephram answered, "Like you already know, my dad is a brain surgeon, and after my mom died last year he shipped my sister and I here, and now I have to live in this damn town."
"Everwood isn't so bad," Jesse shrugged, "It really grows on you."
"How about you?" Ephram questioned, "What's your life story?"
"Last year something happened, and I dealt with it by overdosing on some prescription pills and chasing them down with half a bottle of vodka," Jesse answered, "I got sent to a rehab facility in Denver for a month and a half, and then I ended up going to San Diego to live with my aunt."
"Wow," Ephram replied, "That really tops my story."
"I think it tops a lot of people's stories," Jesse laughed, "But hey, at least it's worth telling."
"Your right about that," Ephram smiled, "Why are you back here anyways?"
"My parents are gone a lot, and my older sister is struggling to keep up the house and take care of my younger siblings on her own, so I had to come back to help out," Jesse explained, "What brings you to my "welcome home kegger"?"
"My friend, Amy, wanted me to come," Ephram answered.
"Amy Abbot?" Jesse asked, surprised.
"The one and only," Ephram nodded.
"Wow, I'm surprised she came," Jesse sighed.
"Why?" Ephram asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"When I OD-ed she was too busy fawning over Colin to even see me before I went off to rehab," Jesse explained, "I don't want to sound like a drama queen, but we were best friends, and after Colin got into the accident, it was as if I didn't exist. Something happened, and she wasn't there for me at all, and when I told her I was really in a bad situation, and that I was even thinking about suicide, she said she couldn't come over to talk to me because she had to go see Colin. I'm not saying it was her responsibility to look after me or anything, but she should have at least talked to me."
"Wow," Ephram wasn't sure what to say, "You do know that Colin died, right?"
"Yeah," Jesse nearly whispered, "Don't think that I resented Colin for getting all of Amy's attention or anything. Colin was a great guy, and a great friend. And I wish things would have worked out differently."
"I didn't know him to well, but he was okay," Ephram replied, glancing at Jesse, who had a sad, distant look in her eyes.
"Hey, you want to get out of here?" Jesse asked hopefully. "Hell yeah," Ephram laughed. Jesse smiled, and hopped out of the truck, "Where to?"
"I know just the spot," Jesse smirked, slightly biting her lip in anticipation.
A/N: PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!!!!! The next chapter will be up as soon as I get 5 reviews!
Leaving the only home you've ever known is one of the hardest things to do, but going back can be even harder. In my life I've been faced with problem after problem, just like everyone else, but about a year ago today, something happened that wasn't easy to recover from. But now, here I am on the front porch of my childhood home, looking at the town that has shaped my existence in so many ways. Everwood, here I come.
"Alright students, hand up your tests," Mr. Richardson instructed to his class just before the lunch bell rang.
"So how'd you do?" Amy asked Ephram as they walked towards the cafeteria.
"Truthfully? I think Bright could have gotten a better score," Ephram laughed, "You?"
"Believe me when I say Bobo the chimp could have scored better then I did on that test," Amy replied.
"Bobo?" Ephram raised an eyebrow.
"I saw my grandparents going at it last week, so sleep hasn't been an option since I don't want that picture haunting my dreams," Amy explained, "Therefore, because of the sleep depravation, anything I say or do cannot be held against me.
"Wow, if you didn't have a childhood trauma already, you sure as hell do now," Ephram smirked, as they entered the lunchroom. Just as they had entered Kayla sauntered up to them, a sour look on her face. She was carrying a stack of bright orange flyers in her arms, and reluctantly stuck out her hand, holding one out to Amy.
"What's this?" Amy asked, as she took the flyer Kayla had hoisted out to her.
"Read it, blondie," Kayla demanded as Amy looked down at the flyer, reading it's contents, "It's a welcome home party for Jesse Chase. I know you think your some big-shot "woe is me" type now, but I think the least you could do is show up...for Jesse."
"I thought Jesse was in San Diego," Amy said, cocking an eyebrow, "And the last time I talked to her, she wasn't planning on coming back."
"Well that shows how good of a friend you are," Kayla replied, "She came back yesterday. The party is tonight, be there or don't." Kayla gave Amy one last narrow-eyed glance, and practically stormed off like the drama queen she was.
"That was interesting," Ephram smirked, as Amy still looked at the flyer, "Are you going to go?"
"I don't know," Amy shrugged, "Jesse was mostly part of the "in-crowd" so you can guess who's on the guest list."
"So your total anti-popularity now?" Ephram inquired gently.
"I don't know, it's kind of hard to stay popular when you realize how much you hate the entire "crowd"," Amy laughed, "I'll go if you go."
"Why would I go?" Ephram replied, "I don't even know this girl, and on top of that, I don't know if I want to spend my Friday night with a ton of future frat boys and sorority sisters."
"Come on," Amy pleaded, "We don't even have to stay the whole time, I just need to see Jesse, and then we can go."
"Alright," Ephram gave in, "But why don't you just take Tommy?"
"Tommy actually has to meet with his parole officer," Amy couldn't help but smile.
"Who would have thought, Amy Abbot, dating a convicted felon," Ephram shook his head.
"Who would have thought, Ephram Brown, jailbait," Amy shot back.
****
Ephram and Amy pulled up to an old, pale gray farm house, with a drive way littered with cars, and people. Loud, fast-paced music was nearly rumbling the house, and plastic cups littered the lawn.
"This is it," Amy announced, taking a deep breath as she got out of the car.
"It looks.nice," Ephram replied, Amy gave him a forced smile.
"You ready?" Amy asked, folding her arms against her chest.
"Sure," Ephram nodded, following her into the house. The inside of the house was somehow surviving despite the party. It really looked like your "run of the mill" country home. All the furniture looked dated, and the paint was chipping in places. Amy weaved through the crowd, avoiding eye contact with most everyone. They passed the fireplace, and the dark wood curio cabinet filled with different trophies, plaques, framed photographs, and other keepsakes. There were several pairs of bronzed baby shoes, and some assorted art projects that looked like they were part of a second grade curriculum. Amy didn't seem to stop to look at anything, not even the people around her. She finally stopped once they had gotten to the kitchen.
"I think I'm going to go venture into the crowd, and see if I can find her," Amy explained, "I guess I'll meet up with you back here in like 20 minutes."
"Alright," Ephram nodded, "Good luck."
"Thanks," Amy said with a slight smile, before disappearing into a mass of people. Ephram turned to the back door, hesitating a bit, before continuing through the door. The backyard was reasonably crowded, and though Ephram recognized a few people, he decided to avoid it. He noticed a huge set of woods to the left and back of the house. Just before the tree line started, a couple of old, junky cars were left to rust. He slid his CD player out of his pocket, and continued towards the cars, deciding he'd lounge out in the back of the red ford pickup until he had to meet with Amy. As he neared it, he noticed a dark haired girl already sprawled out in the back of the truck. She was dressed only in a pair of loose fitting black pants and a navy blue henley tee. Her dark brown hair was hanging limply, and her deep green eyes gazed absently at the dark night sky. Ephram wasn't sure whether to say something, or just find a different place to wait.
"Are you going to come over here, or stare at me all night?" The girl asked, not taking her eyes off the sky.
"Well, hello to you too," Ephram smirked, making his way over to the truck.
"Having fun so far?" The girl inquired, finally taking her eyes off the sky and focusing them on Ephram.
"Not really, I'm not accustomed to the whole kegger thing," Ephram explained, "How about you?"
"Eh, it's okay," She shrugged, "I much rather have had a fruit basket or one of those huge cards."
"Huh?" Ephram raised an eyebrow.
"Instead of the party," She began, "You have no idea what I'm talking about do you?"
"Not really," Ephram admitted, leaning against the truck.
"I'm Jesse," She answered, "And you must be new."
"No, I was new last year actually," Ephram replied, "So your Jesse. No offense, but I would have figured you were some blonde cheerleader type."
"Who says I'm not?" Jesse shrugged, "We did just meet."
"You just don't seem the type," Ephram replied, "Am I mistaken?"
"Not entirely," Jesse replied, "By that I mean, at one time, yes, I was the cheerleader type."
"I see," Ephram nodded, "So why aren't you out enjoying your party?"
"None of my friends are here," Jesse replied, "Well, mainly because I don't really have any, but either way."
"If your not friends with any of these people, then why would they be having a party for you?" Ephram questioned, momentarily capturing her eye.
"Think about it," Jesse began, "It's my so-called party, and no one even knows I'm gone."
"True," Ephram responded, "So, I hear you were in San Diego. How did that go?"
"Not great, but at least I didn't have to put up with these people while I was there," Jesse explained, "At least I could deal on my own for a while."
"Deal with what?" Ephram asked.
"Whoa there Billy, what makes you think I'm going to spill my guts to you?" Jesse laughed, "I don't even know your name."
"Ephram Brown," Ephram responded.
"Wow, I'm guessing you're the son of the Dr. Brown who moved here last year," Jesse replied.
"Yeah," Ephram frowned.
"Then I've heard of you," Jesse nodded, "For a hot-shot surgeon's son, your actually all right. Not that I know you enough to make any judgments, but you don't seem cocky."
"Thanks," Ephram smirked, "Your not so bad yourself."
"So, what's your life story?" Jesse asked, "Believe me when I say I have time."
"There's not much to tell," Ephram answered, "Like you already know, my dad is a brain surgeon, and after my mom died last year he shipped my sister and I here, and now I have to live in this damn town."
"Everwood isn't so bad," Jesse shrugged, "It really grows on you."
"How about you?" Ephram questioned, "What's your life story?"
"Last year something happened, and I dealt with it by overdosing on some prescription pills and chasing them down with half a bottle of vodka," Jesse answered, "I got sent to a rehab facility in Denver for a month and a half, and then I ended up going to San Diego to live with my aunt."
"Wow," Ephram replied, "That really tops my story."
"I think it tops a lot of people's stories," Jesse laughed, "But hey, at least it's worth telling."
"Your right about that," Ephram smiled, "Why are you back here anyways?"
"My parents are gone a lot, and my older sister is struggling to keep up the house and take care of my younger siblings on her own, so I had to come back to help out," Jesse explained, "What brings you to my "welcome home kegger"?"
"My friend, Amy, wanted me to come," Ephram answered.
"Amy Abbot?" Jesse asked, surprised.
"The one and only," Ephram nodded.
"Wow, I'm surprised she came," Jesse sighed.
"Why?" Ephram asked, cocking an eyebrow.
"When I OD-ed she was too busy fawning over Colin to even see me before I went off to rehab," Jesse explained, "I don't want to sound like a drama queen, but we were best friends, and after Colin got into the accident, it was as if I didn't exist. Something happened, and she wasn't there for me at all, and when I told her I was really in a bad situation, and that I was even thinking about suicide, she said she couldn't come over to talk to me because she had to go see Colin. I'm not saying it was her responsibility to look after me or anything, but she should have at least talked to me."
"Wow," Ephram wasn't sure what to say, "You do know that Colin died, right?"
"Yeah," Jesse nearly whispered, "Don't think that I resented Colin for getting all of Amy's attention or anything. Colin was a great guy, and a great friend. And I wish things would have worked out differently."
"I didn't know him to well, but he was okay," Ephram replied, glancing at Jesse, who had a sad, distant look in her eyes.
"Hey, you want to get out of here?" Jesse asked hopefully. "Hell yeah," Ephram laughed. Jesse smiled, and hopped out of the truck, "Where to?"
"I know just the spot," Jesse smirked, slightly biting her lip in anticipation.
A/N: PLEASE READ AND REVIEW!!!!!!! The next chapter will be up as soon as I get 5 reviews!